TRIBUTES have been paid to a veteran Scottish superbiker racer who died after an accident at a race track he had competed on for over 40 years.
Frank Dignan, 63, was racing his high-powered superbike at a Melville Motor Club meeting on the East Fortune racing circuit in East Lothian on Saturday when it left the track.
Emergency services took Mr Dignan, of Haddington, to nearby Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he passed away from his injuries.
Racing was suspended as a mark of respect to the popular biker who was a regular at the East Fortune circuit having first appeared in 1974.
Bikes did return to the track the following day.
And Max Alexander who won a race in the latest round of the Scottish Superbike Championship made a special tribute to Mr Dignan.
A spokesman for his team Max Alexander Racing said: "Due to the red flag incident, and cancellation of... the race program, Max's first race today was the Scottish Championship Race (Sunday). Although the team is delighted to take the win, it's also with sadness due to yesterday's fallen rider.
"Max would like to dedicate his win to the fallen rider Frank Dignan.
"Max wanted to make a gesture of respect to him, his family and friends by dedicating his win to Frank."
The 21-year-old, who set a new track record at the weekend and is now second in the Scottish Superbike Championship overall standings added: "I'm new to the paddock this season, and didn't personally know Frank, but I would like to send my thoughts and condolences to his family and friends."
Friends have also paid their tribute including Ian Thomson, who said: “Every so often, the sport I participated in, rears up and takes one of our own.
“At the weekend, it did just that, and took my pal while he was racing his Superbike at East Fortune. “Racing motorbikes has always been risky, and Frank, who had been racing since the early 70s, just saw his good luck run out.
“RIP buddy, I’ll miss your paddock banter and insults.”
Robert Grundison, 60, who had known Frank since the early 1980s when he raced classic motorcycles said: "Our paths crossed a lot, he was a great guy. He was always funny, with a sarcastic type of humour, but he was never nasty to anyone.
Mr Grundison, who said they were motor mechanics and MOT testers together added: "He will be missed."
Callum Grigor, who also had a successful race at East Fortune, said: "The racing community is like one big family and when we lose anybody in the paddock there is always a big hole left behind and although I didn't know him well he will be sadly missed, and it was a pleasure to have shared the track with him."
News of the death came in a statement released on behalf of the Melville Motor Club which said: "Frankie was competing in the motorcycle racing event at his local circuit, East Fortune, when he fell at Campbell's Hairpin, towards the end of the Scottish Superbikes race.
"He was attended immediately by the circuit medical team and sent by ambulance to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, but sadly succumbed to his injuries.
"Frankie had raced at East Fortune since 1974 and will be terribly missed.
"The Melville Club sends its sincere condolences to his family and friends."
Superbike racing involves highly-modified production bikes, in comparison to MotoGP which has purpose-built motorcycles, and can reach speeds of up to 200mph.
A 2017 Ducati superbike 959 Panigale costs over £14,000, and this is without any further modifications.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Police in East Lothian responded to East Fortune at around 2.50 p.m. on Saturday 12th August after a motorcycle rider came of his bike during the Scottish Autocycle Union Championship race.
"As a result of this incident, the 63-year-old man sustained serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
"Racing was suspended and Road Policing Officers are continuing with their inquiries."
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